Veterinarian who criticized shelter fired

Chula Vista 
A veterinarian who reviewed operations at the Chula Vista Animal Care Facility was fired Thursday – the same day she was quoted in a newspaper story criticizing city officials and practices at the shelter.

Ginny Bischel received an e-mail Thursday night from the City Attorney's Office terminating her contract immediately, breaching a clause in the contract for a 10-day notice of termination.

“That was a little weird,” Bischel said yesterday. “It just proves again the city doesn't do the right thing. It's really sad.”

Deputy City Manager Leah Browder said Bischel's contract expired Dec. 31 and she has been working on a week-to-week basis since then, even helping city officials search for her replacement.

“The timing is unfortunate, but she knows we've been looking for months,” Browder said.

The city is still searching for a full-time veterinarian to review the facility's operations. The person they hired to replace Bischel is temporary.

“What's the difference between me being temporary and the new vet being temporary?” asked Bischel, who owns Eastlake Village Veterinary Clinic in Chula Vista and sponsored the license at the city's facility for 14 months. “They just don't like me pointing things out. It's obvious.”

Browder refused to identify Bischel's replacement.

“I want to make sure they get settled in and feel comfortable at the facility,” she said.

Reached last night, City Manager Jim Sandoval said he didn't remember the name of the new veterinarian.

“I would give you a name if I knew,” he said. “I think it's a woman, but I can't really remember who it is.”

In Thursday's edition of The San Diego Union-Tribune, Bischel said Browder is among the people who ignored recommendations she made after unannounced visits to the facility. Bischel provided e-mails and letters she wrote to Browder and other city officials detailing what she called “chronic problems,” such as animals going days without medical attention and a dog that was euthanized before its owner could claim it.

“I just hope whoever takes it over stays on top of the principal issue – the care of the animals,” Bischel said yesterday. “I don't know that things will get better there, but I hope they will.”